Start

We have a new school year ahead of us.  Hint for teachers, if you can, clean before you leave at the end of the year.  This I didn't do.  Now I must.  Going through the papers and deciding what to keep and what to through out.  My binder of lesson plans were all examples of what not to do, so I didn't keep it.

Our meeting where we learned who had which office as well as what we were teaching went well.  After a rather confusing chart was distributed, we talked it over and straightened out the logistics of how we were going to work through this coming year.

I was a bit disappointed in that I am teaching completely new classes.  So I can't use old lesson materials at all.  It gives me a fresh start though, so I don't mind too much.  We are switching up how we teach Sabbath Schools as well.  The first weekend is ours.  The rest we teach.  We will be in teams and two classes will be provided.  We are to encourage students to sign up to come as they have the option of coming or not.

On a fun note, the age old game at this school was pulled out last night.  We played Monopoly Deal among most of the new teachers.  It was a lot of fun.  The students are in for a surprise if they can be forced to play by the rules including no more than 7 cards in one hand.

Dinner

This morning I started my day hanging out with the new teachers.  We had lunch in the cafe together, then walked around the school for awhile.  Then we hung out at the larger apartment and talked.  When they were going to go for a walk, I claimed work on my computer and went back to my place.  Made sure my online class for this past week was completely finished.  The next week's assignments are now up.

Then we met again for supper.  Ordered pizza and chicken.  They set up the table and we toasted with pop.  It was both relaxed and formal in a way.  The other guys all treated me with respect... like a lady.  I am unused to this, but found that I liked it.  I'm used to being one of the guys.  To be treated as a lady is new and not unwelcome.  Holding doors, serving me first, letting me decide the simple things like what to eat.  All of this was surprising.  After supper we walked to Namsan to show the newbies where things are located.  Enjoyed talking with them.  Felt a sense of protectiveness from them towards me at different times throughout the walk.  It was after dark so I suppose it was only natural.

I offered to show anyone who wanted to learn the bus route to town and back.  I am going shopping for groceries on Friday.  Need to get some things more quickly, like bread.

So I figured I could eat dairy here.  I must be wrong.  Even in Korea, I have trouble with milk and cheese.  So I will probably avoid dairy again... even the ice cream.  Wonder what else causes trouble to my digestive system?

Keeping Jesus Near

I want to share a little testimony that I am unsure many of you are aware of.  When I first came to South Korea, I did experience culture shock and homesickness like any other foreigner.

The first month I was here, I spent ALL my spare time reading the Bible and researching concepts or cultural things I found there.  It was my lifeline.  The first month I was here, sure I missed people.  I was not unhappy though.  My negative feelings were almost nonexistent.

Then I kinda just stopped.  And slowly life became lonely, depressing, unbearable.  I felt nothing could be accomplished or overcome.  That if only I was back in the states I would be happy.  If only I had English services to go to I would be happy.  If only I have family and friends nearby, I would be happy.

Then when I got back to the states, I found a trusted friend who works at Union College and relayed to her my observations.  She had helped me immensely through college, especially my senior year.  We realized that as long as I prayed and read the Bible, I was okay.  It was only when I deviated that life became so hard.  That was the missing key.  A relationship with Jesus.  So I started another blog, where readers would notice if I didn't write anything or didn't write anything well.  It is a way to encourage me to not let my relationship with Jesus slip again.

He is all I need.

Children

Something that is becoming more and more clear is how child friendly this country is.  The whole nation is centered around children.  Everything is set up for them and helping them to have a brighter future.  It is absolutely amazing.  If I was to marry and have kids... if... then this would be the place to raise them for the first few years of their lives.  They would even have the added advantage of being exposed to another language.  They would be able to pick up Korean that much more quickly.

Aug 2013

I have been thinking about how long to stay in South Korea.  For getting another job, I should have a minimum of 2 or 3 years of experience.  The good jobs require that.  So staying here until Aug 2013 was looking like a good option.  However, I am really adjusting to life here.  Staying here even three years no longer seems like a bad option.  Of course I haven't restarted taking classes yet.  I also have quite a few new teachers here that I wasn't counting on.  So will have to wait and see how a semester goes with me more on my feet now.

Church

I have had the wonderful opportunity to go to church today.  Not the one with the school.  An actual church.  It was enjoyable and I was very happy about it.  A friend came and picked me up.  He drove us to the smaller church and we arrived in time for the end of sabbath school.  Basic, but enjoyable.  Then we went upstairs to the sanctuary.  The prayers and the sermon were translated.  There were kids making a small symphony.  It was pretty neat.  They said goodbye to a foreign teacher who sang a song for us.  I suppressed tears, it was so beautiful.  He cried.  Potluck was really good.  I recognized everything from the cafe.  I only messed up when I got korean pizza patties... started to eat them and tasted the dreaded korean mushroom taste.  Adding rice to each bit I chewed helped hide it so I wouldn't gag.  Never been so thankful for rice.  There was pineapple too and that really made my day.

Afterwards the person who took me to church showed me his apartment there.  He has two.  We went walking and he showed me more of the local area.  Then he loaned me one of his guitars and gave me a lesson.  On our way back, he showed me some of the scenic areas nearby.  He knows a lot of hiking trails but I am nervous about taking them after my poor performance last time I went hiking.  It was a great day and I ended it with making nonbake cookies.

Slideshow

So I worked to create a slideshow for the blog... and something went wrong.  So here is a link to my album on photobucket that I created for the purpose of sharing some pictures with you.

http://s1141.photobucket.com/albums/n599/maidenroseheart/Life%20of%20an%20English%20Teacher/?action=view&current=7c88608a.pbw&ps=1&t=1329975819